US6199684B1 - Bulk materials loading device - Google Patents

Bulk materials loading device Download PDF

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Publication number
US6199684B1
US6199684B1 US09/367,479 US36747999A US6199684B1 US 6199684 B1 US6199684 B1 US 6199684B1 US 36747999 A US36747999 A US 36747999A US 6199684 B1 US6199684 B1 US 6199684B1
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United States
Prior art keywords
conduit
control means
product
level
conveyor
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Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Expired - Fee Related
Application number
US09/367,479
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English (en)
Inventor
Alan Huth
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Gladstone Port Authority
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Gladstone Port Authority
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Publication date
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Assigned to GLADSTONE PORT AUTHORITY reassignment GLADSTONE PORT AUTHORITY ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST (SEE DOCUMENT FOR DETAILS). Assignors: HUTH, ALAN
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Publication of US6199684B1 publication Critical patent/US6199684B1/en
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    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65G—TRANSPORT OR STORAGE DEVICES, e.g. CONVEYORS FOR LOADING OR TIPPING, SHOP CONVEYOR SYSTEMS OR PNEUMATIC TUBE CONVEYORS
    • B65G69/00—Auxiliary measures taken, or devices used, in connection with loading or unloading
    • B65G69/18—Preventing escape of dust
    • B65G69/181—Preventing escape of dust by means of sealed systems
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G01—MEASURING; TESTING
    • G01G—WEIGHING
    • G01G11/00—Apparatus for weighing a continuous stream of material during flow; Conveyor belt weighers
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G05—CONTROLLING; REGULATING
    • G05D—SYSTEMS FOR CONTROLLING OR REGULATING NON-ELECTRIC VARIABLES
    • G05D9/00—Level control, e.g. controlling quantity of material stored in vessel
    • G05D9/12—Level control, e.g. controlling quantity of material stored in vessel characterised by the use of electric means

Definitions

  • THIS INVENTION relates to bulk materials handling.
  • the invention is directed to apparatus for delivering bulk materials in a controlled manner.
  • the invention has particular application to the loading of coal, grain or other particulate or powdered material onto ships, although the invention is not limited to those particular uses.
  • the bulk material When loading bulk material, such as coal or grain, into the hold of a ship, the bulk material is normally carried by a belt conveyor to a position above the hold to be filled, and then discharged under gravity into the hold.
  • the falling material generates a considerable amount of dust, posing health risks and fouling the environment.
  • the fall from the conveyor into the hold is also likely to degrade the product, and cause unwanted aeration.
  • the impact of the material on parts of the ship or other equipment accelerates abrasive wear of such parts of equipment.
  • One device sold under the trade name CHOKEFEEDER, attempts to minimise dust generation during loading by discharging the product into a spout at the end of the belt conveyor, and “choking” off or sealing the bottom of the spout by a set of vanes which are either fully opened or closed. Material is fed continuously into the top of the spout and freefalls down the spout. When the product builds up to a predetermined height, the vanes are opened fully to discharge the product. When the product level in the spout falls to a level near the bottom, the vanes are closed until the product builds up to the upper limit again.
  • the upper and lower product operating heights of the CHOKEFEEDER can be varied for different products.
  • the control system varies the discharge vane opening and closing times to keep the working range of the product closer to the upper end of the spout to limit the distance that the product falls. Since the vanes are either fully open or fully shut, the product is still subjected to the repetitive starting and stopping motion which results in product degradation and some dust generation. Further, as the vanes open and close frequently under load, large inertia forces are generated as the column of material stops and starts suddenly.
  • Another known method of material transfer uses a series of hoppers or cones. Material cascades from one cone to the next down the length of the feeder. The design tries to limit the maximum velocity achieved by the material in the spout. However, this method still results in the product accelerating and decelerating from one cone to the next.
  • this invention provides apparatus for loading bulk material, comprising
  • conduit having an inlet at its upper end adapted to receive a flow of the material, and having a discharge outlet at its lower end,
  • controllable gate mechanism at the lower end of the conduit for regulating the flow of material through the outlet
  • control means having an input connected to the level sensing means and adapted to control the operation of the gate mechanism to maintain the conduit substantially or nearly full of material during steady state operation, wherein the gate mechanism is able to be fractionally or partially opened by the control means.
  • the present invention provides a method of bulk materials handling in which material flows into an inlet at the top end of a conduit and is discharged through a controllable gate mechanism having a fractionally variable opening at the bottom end of the conduit, the method comprising the steps of
  • the materials handling system is used for loading particulate product.
  • the product which may be conveyed to the loading site by a belt conveyor, is loaded into a receptacle, such as a ship's hold, through the conduit.
  • the gate mechanism is closed or only partly opened until the conduit is full or nearly full.
  • the gate mechanism is controlled to permit discharge of material from the conduit at a rate matching the infeed rate, thereby maintaining a full column of material in the conduit. That is, the gate mechanism is not necessarily fully opened, but rather its opening is proportionately or fractionally controlled. The material is therefore “extruded” through approximately the full height of the conduit in a fully controlled motion with near constant velocity, rather than free-falling into a pile.
  • the system also includes means for monitoring the flow of material into the conduit. If the material is delivered to the conduit by a belt conveyor, such means may suitably be in the form of a belt weigher the output of which is fed to the control means.
  • the conduit can therefore be “preconditioned” to accommodate variations in material infeed rate.
  • the conduit may be of fixed length, or may be of variable length, e.g. telescoping.
  • the gate mechanism can be regulated by the control means to accommodate changes in the length of the conduit.
  • a variable speed conveyor belt is located immediately below the bottom end of the conduit, the speed of the belt being controlled by the control means.
  • the control means is able to accurately control the rate of material discharge from the conduit.
  • control means is a programmable controller.
  • FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating the operation of a materials loading system.
  • a product such as coal, grain or other bulk material, is carried on a belt conveyor 10 which incorporates a belt weigher 11 .
  • the belt weigher is known in the art and need not be described in detail.
  • the product is discharged by the conveyor into a hopper 18 at the top of a vertical or inclined conduit 12 .
  • the conduit 12 may be of fixed length, but is preferably of adjustable length, e.g. of telescoping construction as shown.
  • the length of the conduit 12 can be varied by winch 19 which is connected to one end of a cable, the other end of which is fixed.
  • the cable passes around sheaves or pulleys 22 on the conduit. By winding or unwinding the cable, the winch 19 is able to shorten or lengthen the length of the conduit 12 .
  • Level sensors 13 are provided at the upper end of the conduit 12 .
  • three sensors 13 A, 13 B, 13 C detect the presence of material at three respective heights in the hopper 18 .
  • the discharge of material from the bottom end of the conduit 12 is controlled by a controllable opening, such as an arc gate 14 .
  • the arc gate 14 can be partially or fractionally opened by a control device, such as a programmable logic controller (PLC) 17 .
  • PLC programmable logic controller
  • the PLC 17 controls the gate's electromechanical actuator to close the gate 14 or open it to the required degree.
  • the position of the arc gate 14 is monitored by arc gate position sensor 21 which feeds this information back to the PLC 17 .
  • a variable speed belt conveyor 15 is positioned closely below the bottom end of the conduit 12 .
  • the speed of the belt 15 is controlled by speed controller 16 which, in turn, is controlled by the PLC 17 .
  • speed controller 16 which, in turn, is controlled by the PLC 17 .
  • the speed of belt 15 is controlled to ensure that material flows freely out of the gate 14 , i.e. there is no back-up of material outside the gate 14 .
  • the belt 15 is typically mounted on a conveyor frame fixed to a conduit section which is suspended from conduit 12 by slew bearing 20 .
  • the hopper 18 and conduit 12 are suspended at the end of the frame of belt conveyor 10 .
  • the PLC 17 receives inputs from the belt weigher 11 and the level sensors 13 , and controls the fractional opening of the arc gate 14 and the belt speed controller 16 to maintain a full column of product in the conduit 12 .
  • the PLC 17 is provided with information relating to the amount of product flowing into the conduit 12 and the level of product in the conduit.
  • the PLC 17 controls the discharge of product from the lower end of the conduit 12 by fractional opening of the arc gate 14 , to maintain the level of material in the conduit 12 at or around a desired height.
  • the illustrated embodiment minimises the distance that the product is allowed to fall by ensuring that the conduit 12 is kept full or nearly full.
  • the gate 14 is kept fully or partially closed by the PLC 17 until the product in the conduit 12 builds up to the required level as sensed by the level sensors 13 A- 13 C. Thereafter, the gate 14 is opened wider to allow the product in the conduit 12 to flow onto belt 15 for discharge.
  • the gate 14 is opened only to such extent that the rate of discharge approximately equals the rate of product flow into the conduit 12 , so that the conduit remains full or nearly full.
  • the product is “extruded” through the conduit 12 in a fully controlled motion with near constant velocity, rather than free-falling to a sudden stop.
  • the product After the start-up phase, the product always remains in slow motion down the length of the conduit 12 with no stopping or starting of the product flow in the conduit.
  • Tilt switches 23 are provided below the belt feeder 15 . As the stockpile below the discharge conveyor 15 rises, it eventually contacts and trips the underside tilt switches 23 . The tilt switches are connected to the PLC 17 . The PLC 17 responds to the tripping of the switches 23 by raising the telescopic conduit 12 by a predetermined height, e.g. one meter. In this manner, the freefall height of the product from the discharge conveyor 15 to the stockpile below is always kept to a meter or less, thereby reducing dust generation and product attrition.
  • the PLC 17 can control the operation of the arc gate 14 and the discharge belt conveyor 15 to accommodate changes in the length of the conduit 12 while maintaining the required column of material in the conduit.
  • the PLC responds by adjusting the opening of the arc gate 14 to the calculated target opening less 7%.
  • the product level will keep rising, but at a slower rate, until the product reaches and trips the intermediate level switch 13 B.
  • the PLC 17 which is continuously recalculating the target opening, responds by adjusting the arc gate 14 to a setting which matches the inflow rate.
  • the PLC 17 responds by opening the arc gate 14 to 25% more than the current target opening, and locks out the operation of the arc gate 14 for a predetermined period of time so as to enable the level to drop. After this lockout time, the level in the hopper will be below the lowest tilt switch 13 A. Without tilt switch 13 A being tripped, the PLC again reduces the arc gate 14 opening to the startup default setting of 35% less than the design tonnage rate. The product level in the hopper will again start to rise towards the tilt switches.
  • the PLC 17 opens the arc gate 14 by an extra 25% to provide the extra flow rate required to allow for the loss of internal volume caused by the shortening of the conduit 12 .
  • the described loading apparatus has a number of advantages, including:
  • the column of product effectively stands on the discharge belt conveyor.
  • the rate of product discharge is governed by both the amount of opening of the discharge arc gate as well as the belt conveyor speed.
  • the product is de-aerated as trapped air is squeezed out.
  • the loading system is compact and relatively lightweight, enabling it to be installed not only on new bulk materials handling systems, but also to be retrofitted to older materials handling equipment which may have limited static and dynamic load ratings.
  • the described loading device is able to handle a wide variety of bulk materials.
  • the controller can calculate the gate opening position required to accommodate the new tonnage rate and “preconditions” the conduit so that it is ready ahead of time to accommodate the surge or change in feed rate.

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  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Automation & Control Theory (AREA)
  • Filling Or Emptying Of Bunkers, Hoppers, And Tanks (AREA)
US09/367,479 1997-02-17 1998-02-16 Bulk materials loading device Expired - Fee Related US6199684B1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (3)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
AUPO5119A AUPO511997A0 (en) 1997-02-17 1997-02-17 Bulk materials loading device
AUPO5119 1997-02-17
PCT/AU1998/000087 WO1998035897A1 (en) 1997-02-17 1998-02-16 Bulk materials loading device

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
US6199684B1 true US6199684B1 (en) 2001-03-13

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US09/367,479 Expired - Fee Related US6199684B1 (en) 1997-02-17 1998-02-16 Bulk materials loading device

Country Status (5)

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US (1) US6199684B1 (de)
EP (1) EP0995084A4 (de)
AU (1) AUPO511997A0 (de)
CA (1) CA2281633A1 (de)
WO (1) WO1998035897A1 (de)

Cited By (10)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US20030159905A1 (en) * 2002-02-26 2003-08-28 Krauss Kenneth J. Method and apparatus for conveying material
FR2839503A1 (fr) * 2002-05-13 2003-11-14 Rene Brunone Installation de chargement de produits pulverulents
US20060163283A1 (en) * 2002-07-03 2006-07-27 Grady Ayton J Apparatus for dispensing particulate material and components therefor
US20080014032A1 (en) * 2004-03-04 2008-01-17 Thomas Rillmann Conveyor Device Having a Filling Device for Vertical Flow of Material, Without Demixing, of Powdered Media
WO2010045683A1 (en) * 2008-10-21 2010-04-29 Brian Investments Pty Ltd Hopper protection and level monitoring
CN109230650A (zh) * 2018-07-19 2019-01-18 中国神华能源股份有限公司 抑制煤尘的设备、系统和方法
CN109436854A (zh) * 2018-11-20 2019-03-08 河南起重机器有限公司 一种散料装船机用溜筒结构
CN109573665A (zh) * 2019-02-14 2019-04-05 南通澳润建材科技有限公司 一体散装机
US10781053B1 (en) * 2018-12-13 2020-09-22 Amazon Technologies, Inc. Control system for automated singulation system
US10961060B1 (en) 2018-12-13 2021-03-30 Amazon Technologies, Inc. Automated singulation system

Families Citing this family (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
FR2791333B1 (fr) * 1999-03-26 2001-05-11 Christian Meslet Dispositif de confinement souple et a geometrie variable auto commandee s'opposant aux emissions de poussieres generees par le chargement en vrac, en conteneurs ouverts, ou le stockage au sol de produits pulverulents
WO2002034654A2 (en) * 2000-10-25 2002-05-02 Albertson, Derek, William Material discharge apparatus
CN112357610B (zh) * 2020-10-21 2022-04-29 南京科达新控仪表有限公司 带有除尘性能的给料机系统
CN116161443B (zh) * 2022-12-13 2025-10-21 大连华锐重工集团股份有限公司 一种无人化抓斗卸船机卸船作业方法

Citations (9)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US1448272A (en) * 1920-08-13 1923-03-13 Wellman Seavermorgan Company Side-wall traveler
US1852385A (en) * 1930-04-14 1932-04-05 Peter A Weigert Conveyer
US3526344A (en) * 1967-09-14 1970-09-01 Nicolaas Petrus Koning Planter
US3858733A (en) 1971-12-24 1975-01-07 Ishikawajima Harima Heavy Ind Device for loading bulk materials
US4225033A (en) * 1978-04-21 1980-09-30 Hitachi Metals, Ltd. Dustproof chute for particulate material loader
US4270671A (en) 1978-09-25 1981-06-02 Archer Daniels Midland Company Dispenser for bulk particulate material
US4658992A (en) * 1983-03-02 1987-04-21 Peleus & Co. Kb Apparatus for controllably discharging powder and/or pellets from a hopper
US5016686A (en) 1989-10-06 1991-05-21 Atlantic Richfield Company Method and apparatus for loading particulate materials
US5697408A (en) 1994-04-30 1997-12-16 Reeves; Leslie Neville Filling containers

Family Cites Families (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB861267A (en) * 1959-03-02 1961-02-15 Schenck Gmbh Carl Improvements in or relating to weigh belt feeders
DE4313084C2 (de) * 1993-04-21 1995-11-23 Ifm Electronic Gmbh Induktiver Näherungsschalter

Patent Citations (9)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US1448272A (en) * 1920-08-13 1923-03-13 Wellman Seavermorgan Company Side-wall traveler
US1852385A (en) * 1930-04-14 1932-04-05 Peter A Weigert Conveyer
US3526344A (en) * 1967-09-14 1970-09-01 Nicolaas Petrus Koning Planter
US3858733A (en) 1971-12-24 1975-01-07 Ishikawajima Harima Heavy Ind Device for loading bulk materials
US4225033A (en) * 1978-04-21 1980-09-30 Hitachi Metals, Ltd. Dustproof chute for particulate material loader
US4270671A (en) 1978-09-25 1981-06-02 Archer Daniels Midland Company Dispenser for bulk particulate material
US4658992A (en) * 1983-03-02 1987-04-21 Peleus & Co. Kb Apparatus for controllably discharging powder and/or pellets from a hopper
US5016686A (en) 1989-10-06 1991-05-21 Atlantic Richfield Company Method and apparatus for loading particulate materials
US5697408A (en) 1994-04-30 1997-12-16 Reeves; Leslie Neville Filling containers

Cited By (14)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US20030159905A1 (en) * 2002-02-26 2003-08-28 Krauss Kenneth J. Method and apparatus for conveying material
FR2839503A1 (fr) * 2002-05-13 2003-11-14 Rene Brunone Installation de chargement de produits pulverulents
US20060163283A1 (en) * 2002-07-03 2006-07-27 Grady Ayton J Apparatus for dispensing particulate material and components therefor
US7694703B2 (en) * 2002-07-03 2010-04-13 Gradmatic Equipment Inc. Apparatus for dispensing particulate material and components therefor
US20080014032A1 (en) * 2004-03-04 2008-01-17 Thomas Rillmann Conveyor Device Having a Filling Device for Vertical Flow of Material, Without Demixing, of Powdered Media
US7690494B2 (en) * 2004-03-04 2010-04-06 Hexal Ag Conveyor device having a filling device for vertical flow of material, without demixing, of powdered media
WO2010045683A1 (en) * 2008-10-21 2010-04-29 Brian Investments Pty Ltd Hopper protection and level monitoring
CN109230650A (zh) * 2018-07-19 2019-01-18 中国神华能源股份有限公司 抑制煤尘的设备、系统和方法
CN109436854A (zh) * 2018-11-20 2019-03-08 河南起重机器有限公司 一种散料装船机用溜筒结构
US10781053B1 (en) * 2018-12-13 2020-09-22 Amazon Technologies, Inc. Control system for automated singulation system
US10961060B1 (en) 2018-12-13 2021-03-30 Amazon Technologies, Inc. Automated singulation system
US11691827B2 (en) 2018-12-13 2023-07-04 Amazon Technologies, Inc. Robotic surgical tool with pivotable transmission linkage on translating carriage
US11772906B2 (en) 2018-12-13 2023-10-03 Amazon Technologies, Inc. Control system for automated singulation system
CN109573665A (zh) * 2019-02-14 2019-04-05 南通澳润建材科技有限公司 一体散装机

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
AUPO511997A0 (en) 1997-04-11
EP0995084A1 (de) 2000-04-26
WO1998035897A1 (en) 1998-08-20
CA2281633A1 (en) 1998-08-20
EP0995084A4 (de) 2001-09-12

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Owner name: GLADSTONE PORT AUTHORITY, AUSTRALIA

Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST;ASSIGNOR:HUTH, ALAN;REEL/FRAME:010274/0080

Effective date: 19990727

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STCH Information on status: patent discontinuation

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Effective date: 20050313